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Please be advised that contacting Ruder Ware by e-mail does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you contact the firm by e-mail with respect to a matter where the firm does not already represent you, any information which you disclose to us may not be regarded as privileged or confidential.

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Firm News

Ruder Ware Welcomes Attorney Emilu Starck

Posted on Nov 08, 2013

Ruder Ware is pleased to announce the addition of Emilu Starck to our Wausau attorney team.

A magna cum laude graduate of the University of St. Thomas Law School, Emilu advises clients on a wide variety of business transactional matters, including the organization of business entities; financing, sale and acquisition transactions; and related matters. Her expertise also allows her to assist clients in the field of health care.

Ruder Ware Earns Recertification in Meritas, a Global Alliance of Business Law Firms

Posted on Oct 21, 2013

Ruder Ware, a law firm with headquarters in Wausau and Eau Claire, recently was awarded recertification in Meritas, a global alliance of business law firms. Ruder Ware is required to successfully complete recertification every three years.

Meritas is the only law firm alliance with an established and comprehensive means of monitoring and enhancing the quality of its member firms - a process that saves clients time in validating law firm credentials and experience. Meritas membership is selective and by invitation only. Firms are regularly assessed and recertified for the breadth of their practice expertise and client satisfaction. The organization's extensive due diligence process ensures that only firms meeting the tenets of Meritas' Quality Assurance Program are allowed to maintain membership. Firm performance and quality feedback are reflected in a Satisfaction Index score, which is made available online.

The recertification process includes exacting self-assessment, peer review by other law firms and client feedback. It examines such factors as timeliness and quality of a firms client service, professional conduct and adherence to Meritas policies including acknowledgement of Meritas firm or client correspondence within 24 hours.

"Businesses trust the Meritas alliance of law firms for top-tier quality, convenience, consistency and value," said Tanna Moore, CEO of Meritas. "Firm name has demonstrated its commitment to world-class client service, and as such, has successfully earned its recertification in Meritas."

Founded in 1990, Meritas is a non-profit global alliance of independent, full-service business law firms located in more than 70 countries. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Meritas has 180 member firms that employ more than 7,000 lawyers worldwide. Meritas' goal is to connect business owners and in-house counsel with expert worldwide legal counsel that offer local insight, local rates and world-class client service. Meritas membership is by invitation only, and members must adhere to rigorous service standards to maintain membership. To find a Meritas law firm, or for more information, visit www.meritas.org or call +1 (612) 339-8680.

Attorney Regina Butler Joins Ruder Ware

Posted on Oct 18, 2013

An Eau Claire native and graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School, Regina has represented the country's largest financial institutions and investors. This experience allows Regina to help individuals and business owners develop comprehensive plans to accomplish their personal and financial goals. At Ruder Ware, she works closely with individuals and families to design plans for the disposition of their assets, both during lifetime and at death, that reflect their unique circumstances, values and objectives. This may include drafting wills, trusts and other planning documents as well as formation of entities for estate planning and business purposes, asset protection, gifting and transfers of assets. Regina also assists her clients in planning for the transition of ownership and management of family or closely held businesses, including family farms, to the next generation.

Attorney Paul Mirr Joins Ruder Ware

Posted on Jul 01, 2013

Ruder Ware is pleased to announce the addition of Paul Mirr to their Eau Claire attorney team.

An Eau Claire native, Paul previously worked for a company once listed on the Inc. 500's list of the country's fastest growing companies. This experience allows Paul to truly understand the needs, desires, and challenges facing small business owners. At Ruder Ware, Paul advises clients on a wide variety of business transactional matters, including the organization of business entities; financing, sale and acquisition transactions; and related matters. Paul also assists clients who are involved in general business litigation matters. He earned his B.B.A. magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire and his J.D. cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Attorney Stewart L. Etten Elected President of Ruder Ware

Posted on Jun 25, 2013

Ruder Ware is pleased to announce the election of Stewart Etten as its president. Etten becomes the fifth president in the firm's 93-year history succeeding Mark Bradley who will continue to serve on the firm's Board of Directors and practice law.

Etten is a member of the firm's Business Transactions Practice Group and serves on its Board of Directors. For the past six months, he has worked alongside Bradley and Jamie Schaefer, Chief Operating Officer, to ensure a smooth transition of leadership. In making the announcement, Bradley cited Etten's executive experience and commitment to client service. "Stew has been a valued member of our firm's leadership and is ready to assume the role of president. He has the respect of his colleagues and clients. He is known for his unwavering commitment to the highest levels of client service and will continue to emphasize that as a distinguishing characteristic of our firm."

Etten has been associated with Ruder Ware for almost 33 years. During his career he also served as in-house counsel for a $1 billion bank. He practices in the areas of banking, commercial law, creditors' rights, and mergers and acquisitions. An active community member, Etten recently served on the board of the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin.

Anita Seering Selected for Prestigious Paralegal of the Year Award

Posted on May 28, 2013

Ruder Ware is pleased to congratulate Anita Seering on receiving the "Paralegal of the Year" Award from the Paralegal Association of Wisconsin (PAW).

At present, there are approximately 3000 paralegals in the state of Wisconsin with over 200 of these paralegals members of PAW. The "Paralegal of the Year" award is the most prestigious award given by PAW. The award celebrates the dedication and efforts of an individual exemplifying a successful paralegal. Honorees are not only heavily involved within their firms but also their communities, giving back civically.

Vusala Bentley, previous award recipient, board member for PAW, and founding member and Director of PAW Wausau Chapter, comments, "Anita was instrumental in providing procedural and emotional support while the Wausau Chapter of PAW was in the process of being founded. She possesses the talents and drive of the ultimate paralegal and somehow, still finds time to serve on the board of the Women's Community."

A senior paralegal with Ruder Ware, Anita has been a business law paralegal for over 30 years. She focuses on transactional corporate law matters involving mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and private equity financing. Her responsibilities include coordinating due diligence and assisting at managing documentation for live and electronic closings, as well as handling post-closing matters. In addition, Anita works with business clients, ranging from single entrepreneur start-ups to large, well-established businesses, assisting with the initial organization of all types of business entities, as well as ongoing legal compliance.

Posted on Apr 29, 2013

Ruder Ware health care and compliance attorney John Fisher, II was a featured speaker at the Health Care Compliance Association's 2013 Compliance Institute. The Institute was attended by nearly 3,000 compliance officers, attorneys, and vendors from across the country. Mr. Fisher spoke on the topic "Compliance Issues in Mergers and Acquisitions."

John holds Certification in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) with the Health Care Compliance Association and is a Certified Compliance Ethics Professional (CCEP) with the Society for Corporate Compliance and Ethics joining only a handful of other practicing attorneys in the country who hold dual compliance certifications.

Mr. Fisher's presentation covered many of the following issues:

The role of the compliance officer in mergers and acquisitions.

Compliance related due diligence requests.

The scope of compliance due diligence.

Successor liability and assumption of liabilities by purchasers.

Compliance impact of deal structure and agreement terms.

Compliance effectiveness reviews in mergers and acquisitions.

Common due diligence compliance risk areas.

For more information on compliance and health law issues, visit our health care law blog at www.healthlaw-blog.com.

Attorney Jane Lokken Receives "Woman of Achievement" Award From The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce

Posted on Apr 25, 2013

Ruder Ware is pleased to congratulate Jane Lokken on receiving the Woman of Achievement Award from the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce.

This award celebrates the potential of all women as valued members and leaders of their community, honoring an individual who strives toward the highest level of professional accomplishment and excels in her chosen field.

On announcing the award, the Chamber cited Jane's active involvement in the Eau Claire community for over 25 years. Currently, she is the chair-elect of the Eau Claire Community Foundation and on the Board of Directors of Clear Vision Eau Claire, U.S. Bank Eau Claire's Advisory Board, and the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Foundation. She is also a member of the Ethics Committee for Mayo Clinic Health Systems NW WI Region.

Jane has twice been Chair of the State Bar of Wisconsin Elder Law Section and has been listed as a Best Lawyer in elder law since 2007. She is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law attorneys and on the Board of Directors of its Wisconsin Chapter

Posted on Mar 25, 2013

March 2013 - Ruder Ware is pleased to announce the following attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America(R) 2013 (Copyright 2012 by Woodward/White, Inc. of Aiken SC):

Ruder Ware Launches Blog, "The Blue Ink"

Posted on Jan 22, 2013

In the words of one of our bloggers, "Our attorneys are dedicated to being more than just trusted legal advisors to our clients - we pride ourselves on being considered true business allies." Ruder Ware's aim of launching this blog is to be accessible to clients, prospective clients, and friends of the firm by providing valuable, timely information. Our goal is to sift through the plethora of information available to you and give our distinctive perspective without the legalese. "The Blue Ink" is a perfect marriage of Ruder Ware's rich history and our firm's innovative thought leadership.

Content on the blog will be changing, new sections will be added, videos of our attorneys commenting on various industries or areas of law will be posted. It will not stay the same for long. We hope you find it timely, useful ... and entertaining. We are interested in your feedback, so please drop us a line and let us know what you think.